Fashion, as we know it, is a mirror. But for far too long, that mirror hasn’t reflected everyone.
When Bethann Hardison entered the modelling world in the late 1960s, she wasn’t just walking runways, she was blazing trails. But what makes Bethann’s legacy truly monumental is not just her striking presence or editorial successes. It’s her courage to hold the fashion industry accountable, loudly and unapologetically, when silence was the norm.
At a time when Black women were scarcely seen on magazine covers or in major campaigns, Bethann stepped into the role of activist. She wasn’t alone for long. In 1988, she co-founded the Black Girl’s Coalition, a powerfully bold initiative that gave Black models a collective voice and reminded the fashion world: beauty doesn’t belong to one race.
A Movement Born from Necessity
The UK fashion industry has long prided itself on diversity and yet, when you scratch beneath the surface, the representation often feels performative. One month of celebration during Black History Month or a single campaign featuring models of colour doesn’t rewrite decades of exclusion.
Bethann Hardison’s work reminds us that change doesn’t come from inclusion alone, it comes from equity, empowerment, and the courage to ask hard questions.
“If you don’t see yourself, how do you know you’re worthy of being seen?”
It’s not just about casting a Black model. It’s about why she’s there, who’s behind the camera, who’s in the boardroom, and whether her presence shifts the narrative or ticks a box.
Why Her Words Still Echo Today
When Bethann speaks, people listen, not because of volume, but because of truth. Her interviews are more than conversations; they’re calls to action. For UK-based audiences, her perspective resonates deeply, especially in cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester, where multiculturalism is the lifeblood of street style and subculture.
Yet, the mainstream representation still feels… safe.
The Black Girl’s Coalition wasn’t a celebration. It was a resistance, against invisibility. And that spirit is needed now more than ever.
For the Next Generation of Models
At Choice Model Management, we believe that every young Black girl in the UK who dreams of the runway should know Bethann Hardison’s name. Not for nostalgia, but for strategy. Her journey is a roadmap, proof that change begins with one person refusing to stay silent.
We see your frustrations: the same faces, the same tokenised campaigns, the same unchecked biases. We also see your hopes, for casting calls that reflect you, mentors who get you, and agencies who won’t ask you to “straighten your hair for the client.”
Bethann fought so the next generation wouldn’t have to, but the fight isn’t over.
A New Chapter Begins Here
Bethann once said, “You don’t fight for yourself. You fight for what’s right.”
At Choice Model Management, that principle sits at our core. We stand for representation that’s not just visual but visceral. We champion models not just because of how they look, but because of what they stand for.
Because we know that change isn’t seasonal. It’s structural. And it starts with listening to voices like Bethann’s, not just admiring them.
Want to be part of the new narrative?
Join our journey in shaping a UK fashion landscape where no voice is left behind, and no mirror distorts the truth.
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